There are many myths,
misunderstandings, and strong opinions about declawing of cats. If you are
considering having this surgery performed on your cat, or if a veterinarian has
suggested it, please take a few minutes to learn more about this major surgical
procedure before you make a decision.

Declawing is not a routine
surgery and should never be done as a “preventative.” Despite their
reputation for independence, cats can readily be trained to leave the sofa,
curtains, or carpet untouched. Using surgery to prevent or correct a behavioral
problem is expedient, but it is definitely not the wisest, kindest, most cost-effective, or best solution for
you and your cat. Your veterinarian has an obligation to educate you as to the
nature of the procedure, the risks of anesthesia and surgery, and the potential
for complications, both short- and long-term.

Why
do people declaw their cats?

·To protect furniture or other property

·They don’t want to try to
train the cat

·Their other cat is declawed

·To stop the cat from scratching
them

·Their friend’s
or family’s cat is declawed

·They have always had declawed
cats

·Their veterinarian recommends
it

·Because they just do not know
any better

Many people report that
they are happier with their cats after declawing, because it makes the cats
“better pets.” Unfortunately, just as many people have discovered – too
late – that declawing frequently leads to far worse problems than it solves.
There is no way to know ahead of time into which category your
cat might fall! There are other, better ways to solve behavior problems than
radical and irreversible surgery.

What is declawing?

Declawing,
which is rightly described as “de-toeing” when the same procedure is done to
chickens, is the amputation of each front toe at the first joint (hind foot
declaws are not commonly done but would be equivalent). This is necessary
because, unlike a fingernail, the claw actually grows from the first toe bone.
The procedure is so excruciatingly painful that it was once used as a technique
of torture, and even today is the primary test of the effectiveness of pain
medications. Recovery takes a few weeks, but even after the surgical wounds have
healed, there are other long-term physical and psychological effects.

For
the surgery itself, the cat is put under general anesthesia and the toes are
prepared with antiseptic soap. A tourniquet is placed on the cat’s leg just
below the elbow and tightened to prevent excessive bleeding. In the scalpel
technique, the surgeon grips the tip of the claw with a small clamp, and uses scalpel
to carve around the third phalanx, cutting through the skin and severing tendons, nerves, and blood
vessels. In the guillotine blade technique, a sterilized veterinary nail clipper
is used to cut the tissues. A scalpel may be used to remove the last
piece of P3 [photos]. The wound is then closed with sutures or surgical glue. Tight
bandages may be applied that restrict the normal response of the tissue to
swell, causing intense pressure and more pain. LASER surgery is similar to the scalpel
technique, although the LASER cauterizes the blood vessels as they are cut, so
there is less bleeding.

Are
claws that important to a cat’s well-being?

Claws
perform a number of vital functions for the cat. By scratching various surfaces,
cats create a visual and scent identification mark for their territory. Claws
provide psychological comfort through kneading, help the cat climb to safety or
a secure vantage point, and help the cat fully stretch his back and legs. A
declawed cat never again experiences the head-to-toe satisfaction of a full body
stretch!

What
are the potential complications of declawing?

Post-surgical
complications:Lameness, abscesses and claw regrowth can occur days or weeks or many
years after surgery. In one study that followed cats for only 5 months after
surgery, nearly 1/3 of cats developed complications from both declaw and
tendonectomy surgeries (digital tendonectomy is a procedure whereby the tendons
that extend the toes are cut; it’s sometimes promoted as an “alternative”
to declawing).

Pain:It is impossible to know how much chronic pain and suffering declawing
causes, because cats are unable to express these in human terms. However, we can
get an idea by looking at similar procedures in people. Nearly all human
amputees report “phantom” sensations from the amputated part, ranging from
merely strange to extremely painful (about 40% of such sensations are
categorized as painful). Because declawing involves ten separate amputations, it
is virtually certain that all declawed cats experience phantom pain in one or
more toes. In humans, these sensations continue for life, even when the
amputation took place in early childhood; there is no physiological reason that
this would not be true for cats. Cats are stoic and typically conceal pain or
illness until it becomes overwhelming. With chronic pain, it may be that they
simply learn to live and cope with it. Their behavior may appear “normal,”
but a lack of overt signs of pain does not mean that they are pain-free.

Joint Stiffness:In declawed (and tendonectomized) cats, the tendons that control the toe
joints retract after surgery, and these joints become essentially
“frozen.” The toes can no longer be extended, but remain fully contracted
for the life of the cat. In cats that have been declawed for many years, these
joints often cannot be moved, even under deep anesthesia. The fact that most
cats continue to make scratching motions after they are declawed is often said
to “prove” that they do not“miss”
their claws. However, this behavior could be equally well – or better – explained as desperate
but ineffective efforts to stretch those stiff toes, legs, shoulders and backs.

Arthritis:Research has shown that, in the immediate post-operative period, newly
declawed cats shift their body weight backward onto the large central pads of the
feet, and off the sore toes. This effect was significant even when strong pain
medication was given, and remained apparent for the duration of the study (up to
40 hours after the surgery). If this altered gait persists over time, it would
cause stress on the leg joints and spine, and could lead to damage and arthritic
changes in multiple joints. A recent study showed
that arthritis of the elbow is very common in older cats. When contacted, the
researchers admitted that they did not ask or record whether the cats were
declawed, evidently
preferring the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy so as not to anger those
many veterinarians who make a lot of money from declawing.

Litterbox Problems:Experts say that declawed cats have more litterbox problems than clawed
cats. Not many people would choose urine-soaked carpeting (or floorboards, sofa
cushions, walls, bedding, or mattresses) over a few scratch marks, but this is
a distressingly common outcome. In one survey, 95% of calls about declawed cats
related to litterbox problems, while only 46% of clawed cats had such problems
– and most of those were older cats, many of them with physical ailments that
accounted for the behavior. Some households with declawed cats have spent
thousands of dollars replacing drywall, carpets, and subfloors to repair urine damage.

Biting:Some experts believe that naturally aggressive cats who are declawed are
likely to become biters. Many declawed cats do seem to “notice” that their
claws are missing, and turn to biting as a primary means of defense – not a
good choice for a cat in a home with children or immunocompromised individuals.

Change
in Personality:This is a common complaint – “my cat has never been the same.” A
friendly, delightful kitten may become a morose, fearful, or reclusive cat,
never to recover its natural joy, grace, and love of exploration.

Death:There is always a small but real risk of death from any general
anesthesia, as well as from bleeding or other surgical complications.
Declawing that results in biting or inappropriate elimination outside the
litterbox may result in the cat being locked in the basement, dumped at a
shelter, or simply abandoned. If taken to shelters, such behaviors make them
unadoptable, and they will be destroyed. Many cats are exiled to a life outdoors
because of these unwanted behaviors, even though declawed cats should never be
allowed outside unsupervised – their ability to defend themselves, and to
escape danger by climbing, is seriously impaired. They also risk injury or death
by dogs, cars, wild predators, disease, poison, and other hazards of outdoor
life. It is unfortunately common for outdoor cats to be stolen and used as live
bait to be torn apart by fighting dogs, or sold to laboratories or biological
suppliers.

Is
LASER declawing okay?

Laser
declawing causes less bleeding and swelling than other surgical techniques. This
reduces pain and complications in the first few days after surgery, but the
long-term consequences of the procedure remain the same.

Why do so many
veterinarians suggest declawing cats?

Many
veterinarians in the U.S. have become accustomed to performing the declawing
procedure without thinking about – or even recognizing – the common
complications. Some even recommend declawing kittens at the same time they are
spayed or neutered, whether or not they have developed destructive scratching
habits. However, this goes against the express written policy of the American
Veterinary Medical Association, and the advice of top veterinary behaviorists
who agree that declawing should not even be considered until all other options,
such as training or deterrents, have been sincerely tried and failed.

Since animal shelters and
humane societies are prime dumping grounds for cats with behavior problems,
personnel there should have a realistic and practical view about whether
declawing keeps cats in their homes, or creates worse difficulties. A survey of
major shelters and humane societies around the U.S. found many who are firmly
against declawing, and some will not even adopt a cat to a person who intends to
declaw. Against declawing are the ASPCA, Humane Society of the United States,
Massachusetts SPCA, Denver Dumb Friends League, San Francisco SPCA, SPCA of
Texas, F.L.O.C.K. (For Love of Cats and Kittens, Las Vegas, NV), and the Animal
Welfare League (Chicago, IL, the Midwest’s largest humane society). The SPCA
of Los Angeles puts it in no uncertain terms: “We do NOT support, nor condone,
the act of declawing cats. It is cruel, unnecessary, and inhumane.” The Cat
Fancier’s Association, the world’s largest pedigreed cat registry, opposes
declawing as “without benefit to the cat” and involving “post operative
discomfort or pain, and potential future behavioral or physical effects.”

How can I stop unwanted
scratching behavior without declawing?

Provide an appropriate place to scratch:

Cats of any age can be
trained not to scratch furniture or other objects – including people –
although it is easier if the cat is trained as a kitten. Amazingly, many people
do not even know that they should
provide a scratching post for their cats. Because scratching is a deeply
ingrained instinct in cats, if there is no appropriate spot, they will be forced
to substitute furniture or other objects.

A
vertical scratching post should be at least 28-36” high to allow the cat to
stretch to his full height. Many cats prefer natural soft wood, such as a
section of bark-covered log or a cedar
or redwood plank, or posts covered with sisal rope, which many cats prefer to
the carpeted surfaces of many posts. The post must be very sturdy and stable; if
it wobbles, your cat won’t use it. Rubbing the surface with catnip, or using a
catnip spray, may enhance the attractiveness of the post. For the more
adventurous types, there are cat trees in dozens of sizes and colors, with
features such as hidey-holes, lounging platforms, hanging toys, and other
creative amenities. Like to do it yourself? There are plans for easy-to-make
posts on the Internet or in many cat books. Don’t be too quick to discard a
shabby, well-worn post – that’s when it’s the most
attractive to your cat!

No
space for a cat tree? There are many other options available, such as clear
sticky strips to apply to the furniture, and other deterrents, as well as a
multitude of smaller cat-attractive scratching posts, mats, and other
distractions that will protect your possessions. Some cats like to scratch on a
horizontal surface; inexpensive cardboard scratchers are popular with these
cats. Be sure to replace these periodically so they provide adequate resistance
to the claws.

With
scratching posts, as in real estate, think “location, location, location.”
Start with the post near kitty’s favorite scratching object, and gradually (by
inches) move it to its final destination.

Make the unacceptable object undesirable:

This
may be as simple as throwing a thick towel, fleece, or blanket over the arm of
the sofa. What kitty likes about woven upholstery is its resistance – this is
what allows him to stretch. If he hooks his claws into material that immediately
pulls off and falls on his head, he’ll lose interest in no time.

Another
simple (and more esthetically pleasing) plan is to use double-sided tape, such
as “Sticky Paws." This product has a special
adhesive that does not damage the furniture, but feels disgusting to the cat’s
sensitive paw pads. It may need to be replaced every month or so as dust and
hair accumulate on the tape’s surface, but for many cats one or two
applications is enough to dissuade them permanently.

Padding for the Paws:

For aggressive or
unremitting scratching, replaceable soft plastic caps for the claws called
“Soft Paws” are a good solution. Remember, never
play or roughhouse with your kitten or cat using your bare hands. You don’t
want her to get the idea that biting or scratching human skin is okay. And while
it’s fun to watch the kitten attack your wiggling toes under a blanket, when
he’s 15 pounds with inch-long fangs, it’s not nearly as amusing. Serious
aggression problems require assistance from your veterinarian or professional
behavior consultant.

Of course,conscientious nail-trimming [instructions] will keep the claws blunt and
minimize the damage that kitty can do to fabrics, furniture, and fingers.

Last
but not least . . . .

There are a few individuals who
will always declaw their cats. Their own convenience and the safety of their
belongings is their top priority, and whether or not it causes suffering to the
cat is not a significant concern. Fortunately, most people truly love their
feline companions and want to do what’s best for all concerned. If you are one
of these wonderful people, please think carefully about this beautiful little animal who
trusts you and relies on you for her very existence. Please make the humane choice – DO NOT
DECLAW!